Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter： a large-scale experiment

Background: Intentional winter bird feeding in gardens is one of the most common interactions between birds and humans. Because feeding may have both desired effects(provisioning of nutritious food for under-nourished birds) and undesired effects(favouritism of competitively superior species, transmission of disease), management of supplementary sites should be optimized from an ecological and conservation perspective. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to experimentally test winter food preferences of birds, with underlying potential influence of habitat(rural vs. urban) on realised food preferences pattern.Methods: We conducted an experimental analysis of food preferences of wintering birds by provided bird-feeders in urban and rural environments across Poland. Data were collected twice during winter 2013–2014 across Poland, in total with 80 experimental trials.Results: Sunflower seeds were the most preferred food supplement both in urban and rural habitats, significantly more exploited than any other food simultaneously available in feeders(animal fat, millet seed and dry fruits of rowanberry). However, no significant differences were recorded between urban and rural habitats in use of food.Conclusions: The degree of use of a particular type of food at bird-feeders depended on the overall use of food in a bird-feeder—consumption of each of the four types of food was significantly positively correlated with that of the others, and it was positively correlated with the number of birds observed at the feeders.

Rearing the Predator Brontocoris tabidus(Heteroptera:Pentatomidae)with Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae)Pupa on Eucalyptus grandis in the Field

The use of natural enemies represents an important strategy in programs of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Asopinae predators are reared with alternative prey, but supplementary plant may enhance the fecundity and longevity of their females. The objective of this research was to evaluate the development and reproduction of the predator Brontocoris tabidus Signoret, 1852 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed with Tenebrio molitor L., 1785 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae in a Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) plant in the field. The duration and survival of the nymphal stage of B. tabidus were 32.07 ± 8.95 days and 77.00 ± 0.42%, respectively with 15.55 ± 8.19 egg masses, 603.00 ± 379.20 eggs and 387.45 ± 291.40 nymphs per female of this predator while longevity of its males and females was 119.80 ± 32.80 and 160.20 ± 42.13 days, respectively. Better results with E. grandis plant in the field and the fact that B. tabidus will be adapted at release time show that this predator should be reared in these conditions.

Knowledge of child nutrition when breastfeeding—A study of mothers living outside Hanoi

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of?nutrition?among mothers of children less than two years of age and changes in theoretical knowledge after a nutrition course. Method: A pilot study with a pre-post-test design. Thirty mothers of children who were less than two years of age from outside Hanoi participated in the study. The mothers’ knowledge of breastfeeding, supplementary food and diet when the child was suffering from diarrhea was collected using 19 self-reported questions. A one-day nutrition course at which the mothers answered the same questions before and after the course was run. Results: All the invited mothers were included in the study. There was a lack of knowledge about breastfeeding and nutrition at baseline, but it improved after the nutrition course. The greatest improvement in knowledge related to breastfeeding less than 30 minutes after delivery, not giving milk or fruit juice instead of breast milk, increasing the frequency of breastfeeding in the event of a smaller amount of milk and knowledge about giving supplementary food after six months. Moreover, the results revealed that the mothers reported better knowledge of the consumption and frequency of more healthy food supplements. Conclusion: There was a lack of knowledge about nutrition among the mothers with children less than two years of age. The course demonstrated effectiveness in every aspect of nutritional knowledge, tested in the posttest. The findings in this study could provide important information for authorities in the health sector to improve the nutritional state of children in the community.